What is the maximum speed at which the gear may be in the down-and-locked position?

The maximum speed at which the gear may be in the down-and-locked position is 250 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS). This speed limitation is primarily put in place to ensure the structural integrity of the landing gear and related components during landing and approach maneuvers. Exceeding this speed with the landing gear down could lead to high aerodynamic forces that may damage the gear or affect the aircraft's stability during landing. Additionally, the landing gear is designed to withstand certain aerodynamic loads, and the 250 KIAS limit ensures that these loads remain within safe operational parameters. The choice of this speed is often based on aircraft design specifications and performance charts that seek to maintain safety and reliability during critical phases of flight.

Other options provided exceed this 250 KIAS limit, making them unsuitable as the correct answer for safe landing gear operation.